2012 Washington Redskins Football Schedule A Season To Remember: Up, Down, And Disappointment
The 2012 Washington Redskins season presented a narrative of dramatic peaks and gut-wrenching valleys, beginning with the promise of a new era under head coach Mike Shanahan and ending in the familiar frustration of playoff absence. The campaign was defined by the meteoric rise of young quarterback Robert Griffin III, whose dazzling runs electrified a franchise and a city, juxtaposed against a porous defense that consistently unraveled in critical moments. What unfolded was a schedule that encapsulated the turbulent reality of an ambitious team navigating the precarious balance between present competitiveness and future uncertainty.
The Opening Surge: Hope High In Week 1
The season commenced on September 9th at FedExField against the Dallas Cowboys, a marquee NFC East rivalry. Riding the high of their No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Redskins were eager to showcase the dual-threat talent of Robert Griffin III. The game served as a potent statement, as Washington dominated from start to finish, winning decisively 40-32. Griffin, in his NFL debut, delivered a performance for the ages, throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns while adding another rushing score. This victory ignited a city and signaled that the dark days of the preceding years were potentially over. The early success established a foundation of optimism rarely seen in the franchise’s recent history.
Navigating The Early Schedule: Building Momentum
Buoyed by the Cowboys victory, the Redskins approached the early part of their schedule with a degree of swagger. They methodically worked through their initial challenges, securing crucial wins that positioned them as legitimate contenders in the NFC East.
- Week 2 @ Philadelphia Eagles: A gritty 38-24 road victory against a division rival, demonstrating the team's ability to perform on the road in a hostile environment.
- Week 3 vs. St. Louis Rams: A dominant 45-10 home shutout, where the offense clicked on all cylinders and the defense showed glimpses of its potential.
- Week 4 Bye Week: A necessary pause that allowed the team to regroup and address minor injuries sustained in the early stretch.
Through the first month, the Redskins compiled a 4-0 record, with Griffin solidifying his status as a franchise quarterback. His unique ability to extend plays with his legs and make something out of nothing was a constant weapon. The offense, featuring Alfred Morris and a developing receiving corps, appeared to be clicking. This period represented the peak of optimism for the season, a genuine belief that the team could challenge for the division title and make a deep playoff run.
The Critical Midseason: Injury And The Dream Deferred
The high-flying season took a drastic and unforeseen turn in Week 5. During the nationally televised Monday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks, the unthinkable happened. On a devastating blindside hit, Griffin awkwardly collided with the Seahawks' defensive end, Bruce Irvin, suffering a severe Lisfranc fracture to his right ankle. The play and the subsequent image of the QB carted off the field became an iconic and painful moment in NFL history. His absence was immediate and profound.
Without their dynamic leader, the Redskins became a vastly different team. Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins, while competent, was not the playmaker Griffin was. The offense lost its spark and became more predictable, heavily reliant on a running game that the defense often could not support. The schedule began to exact its toll as Washington stumbled through the middle of the season.
- Week 6 Loss at Chicago Bears (23-13): A frustrating home defeat where the defense couldn't get a stop and the offense struggled to move the ball consistently.
- Week 7 Loss at Cleveland Browns (19-16): A heartbreaking road loss in overtime, a game the team felt they controlled until a late defensive breakdown.
- Week 8 Bye Week: The break came during a critical juncture, offering time for Griffin's injury to heal and for the team to regroup.
The injury fundamentally altered the trajectory of the season. What was once a dynamic, high-powered attack was suddenly a work in progress. The defense, which had looked competent but not dominant, suddenly faced more pressure and began to show its vulnerabilities. The team’s record in the weeks following Griffin's injury reflected the struggle, with more losses mounting.
The Late-Season Struggle: Playoff Hopes Fade
Upon his return in Week 10, Griffin was not the same. Limited by his injury and clearly concerned about re-injury, he was not the explosive playmaker of September and October. The rhythm and trust within the offense were broken. The Redskins managed to win a few games, including a critical late-season victory over the rival New York Giants, but it was too little, too late.
The schedule’s later segments exposed the team's glaring weaknesses. The vaunted defense, a point of pride in the offseason, regressed significantly. It struggled against the run and became undisciplined, frequently committing costly penalties. Key offensive linemen were also lost to injury, further hampering the offense's ability to sustain drives. The team’s inconsistency became its defining characteristic, winning against subpar opponents but losing close games against divisional rivals.
As the season drew to a close, the mathematical possibilities of a division title vanished. The final games were characterized by a sense of anticlimax. A Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles provided a small measure of solace, but it was overshadowed by the larger narrative of a campaign that had failed to meet its lofty preseason expectations. The final record of 10-6 was a losing record in the standings, a stark contrast to the 14-2 aspirations that had fueled the season’s early promise.
The Aftermath: A Season Of Contrasts
The 2012 season left a complex legacy for the Washington Redskins. For the city and its fans, it was a season of whiplash, a journey from euphoria to despair. Robert Griffin III captured the Heisman Trophy and the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, cementing his legacy as a phenomenal talent. His "Magic Man" run against the Seattle Seahawks remains one of the most memorable plays in recent franchise history. Mike Shanahan was praised for his handling of the young talent and his bold in-season decision to start Cousins, a move that demonstrated his commitment to the new direction.
However, the ultimate measure of a season’s success is wins and losses, and championship aspirations. The defense’s late-season collapse and the inability to win close games without Griffin were glaring issues. The schedule, which featured tough NFC East opponents and critical late-season games, exposed the team’s limitations. Owner Daniel Snyder, general manager Bruce Allen, and head coach Mike Shanahan were forced to confront the reality that building a perennial contender takes more than drafting a superstar. The 2012 campaign, despite the individual brilliance of RG3, became a poignant lesson in the volatility of professional sports and the high stakes of balancing present competitiveness with future planning.
